Luther College Top Questions

Before you go to college you need to enroll in more college courses to prep yourself for the workload and vigorous academic standards. Many of your high school teachers are not going to challenge you; you need to make numerous goals and work toward them on your own. To strengthen yourself in your major, immerse yourself in as many science classes and programs outside of your high school. You need to take advantage of job shadow oppotunities and CNA training. Most of all, you will not always be successful, but it is the times you fail that will provide you with the ambition to prove fellow classmates' doubts about your academic ability.

Embrace every opportunity that is presented, as each is an opportunity to learn and grow. Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone much more often to continue this growth. Don't worry about failure or what others may think. More is often learned from one's failures that one's successes. What matters most is what you think about yourself and your actions. What matters most is that you tried. No one but you must live your life. Trust that you are cabable of what is set before you. God has given you marvelous gifts. Use them in quiet service for others. For in uplifting others, you uplift yourself. Hone those gifts and make the most of them. For in doing so, you will be able to better assist others with their journeys as well. But above all, be yourself. Be who you have been created to be. That is when you will be at your best.

Rosemary, I know you're excited, this is your chance to spread your wings and start making your dreams come true. And I know you're a big dreamer so lets look at this realistically and find the truth. First, you're going to find ways to try to support yourself, so lets be honest, your days working at the library are numbered, they're going to lay you off due to budget cuts shortly after you start college. So stay at home, you'll save more money for when you do transfer and live on your own. To top it off, the professors aren't going to hold your hand, so take classes and homework seriously. Keep your head up and stay focused. Thirdly, you're going to regret going to community college first, you're going to wish you went straight to a university. But be grateful, because living at home gave you the chance to enjoy the last couple of years of your father's life, the years you may have missed if you left. Be grateful, concentrate, be positive and give it your all. You're going to lose hope, but don't ever lose faith.

My most valuable advice would be to not stress over the small stuff. I spent way too much time thinking about my financial aid problems and grades and not enough time enjoying being a senior. I did really well and I got a good scholarship to my community college but it almost wasn't worth the stress I went through. I would love to go back in time and tell myself to chill out. I think many high school seniors need to realize this. So much pressure is put on students these days, mostly because of financial reasons. I wish I didn't have to stress out about money problems so much, especially because I'm so young. It would be great to have some help and I wish everyone could have equal help throughout college.

This is what I would say to my high school senior self: "First things first. Get a grip and stop stressing so much about the future. Working yourself up and making yourself nervous and scared is only going to make the transition process difficult. I promise that you can do it. I mean, come on, look at me, I turned out just fine. Secondly, STOP PROCRASTINATING. Seriously. College is going to go a heck of a lot smoother if you'd just do your work on time. You'll avoid a lot of unecessary problems. Third, talk to your friends and family. I don't mean every day. But when you can. It's good to touch base, let them know what's going on, and get the scoop from back home. It helps the homesickness and makes the days go by faster. Lastly, don't let your emotions get in the way. No, I'm not talking about dumb horomones. I'm talking about late night stress because you need to finish a paper, or major homesickness. Just take a moment to breathe, and remember that you can do this. I love you, so much!"

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to start looking for scholarships earlier in my life, because I missed out on a lot of things that I now regret. I would also tell myself that I should take another look at my freshman classes, and reconsider them, because it will be a rough ride if I take them together. I would also tell myself to take more diverse set of classes, because once I figured out what I wanted to do isn’t what I wanted to do, I had no other back up majors or minors to choose from, which set me back on the classes I could take. The last thing I would tell myself is to be prepared for a new experience, because things are so much different from high school going to college, and the transition would be rough, but the ride will be well worth it in the end.

Dear Self, As you are getting ready to leave for college and trying to decide where you will end up, trust yourself. You normally make the right decision and now is not the time to start doubting. Listen to those around you, they keep telling you what you are good at and it’s something you enjoy. Stop fighting it and go with that major. Fill out all the scholarships you can and fill the gap with a loan as soon as you can, don’t procrastinate on this, after all it is your future at stake. On the days leading up to leaving spend time with your friends, when you come back next year it will be different, but these people will always be your friends and support you. More importantly spend time with your mom and sister; these people are so important and love you more then you can possibly believe. They will miss you and though they won’t say it they wish you could stay with them foreve (without the “r” because then it won’t ever come to an end.) Remember whatever happens, happens and that the unexpected will always happen, let it and smile.

Stay involved in high school - you only get one chance to experience sports, activities and high school friends. But, at the same time work to stretch yourself academically by taking even harder college or AP classes. Be prepared to read, read, read when you get to college. Understand that learning how to take effective notes is a process that takes time to learn, but is essential to college success. As a freshmans, get a tutor immediately in any course that seems difficult. This will lessen the learning curve and help you protect your GPA in your initial semester. Time management is an essential skill that one must master. Being involved in athletics or other activities makes one disciplined and rapidly introduces your to multiple groups of new friends. Be open to possibilities. You do not need to have your major figured out right away. It is okay to change your mind. Find an advisor who you connect with. Most importantly, make sure you take time to build relationships with people - you are at school to learn but also to make life-long friends. Balance working hard with playing hard. And, always remember to breathe when the going gets rough.

Enjoy everything while it lasts. Soon you will be meeting new people. Talk to everyone you meet and smile all the time. Be open to new things. Forget about high school. You are going to college to become the person you want to be. Join every club and group that sounds fun. Keep exercising, it keeps you relaxed and fit. Say "I love you" more often. Live. Laugh. Love

As a sophomore at Luther College I have made new friends, worked with great teachers, learned useful knowledge, and acquired job-related experience. However, I feel the most important thing that college has given me is a transition from the dependence of living at home with my family to a more independent living. Trying to start my new career, living on my own, paying bills, and finding a decent job are all things that I will have to worry about when I graduate. Not only am I gaining knowledge from classes such as Accounting, I am also learning how to function without my parents. Already, I have two jobs and am making money to support myself. Next year I will be studying abroad in France, which will broaden my cultural horizons. Luther also allows juniors and seniors to live off campus which, if I chose to do so, I will have even more of my own financial responsibility. Overall, college has been and will continue to be a valuable learning experience. In my opinion, preparing me to succeed in life is worth the cost of college.